About
Saxophonist, Melodeon Player, Clarinettist, Percussionist, Composer & Musician
Midlands based Musician and Composer trained in Jazz, Folk and Classical genres. Deeply rooted in the Folk and Jazz scene playing with bands such as David Gibb Band, Cupola, Steamchicken, and now founding the Oli Matthews Band in defining the cross-genre style of Folk Funk Compositions. Oli has toured worldwide with a range of top artists as well as writing new compositions played by the likes of; Paul Sartin, Rob Harbron and Karen Tweed, to name a few.
Oli Matthews is a UK Folk-Funk instrumentalist and tunesmith, writing gripping melodies, punchy brass sections and funky bass lines, delivered with an energetic vibe often compared to artists such as Trombone Shorty, Elephant Sessions and Peatbog Faeries.
He writes his music, crafting together his folk roots heritage, with his passion for jazz funk brass riffs and adventurous bass lines, bringing the excitement of his music to life on stage seamlessly changing between Soprano Sax and Melodeon. His debut EP ‘Summit’, released July 2023 highlights his seamless mix of musical styles, blending folk melodies with jazz funk grooves.
His personal career highlights include festival performances at Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, Latitude and Cambridge Folk Festival, as well as worldwide tours across Canada and Europe.
Oli draws his inspiration from Snarky Puppy, James Brown, Bellowhead and Salsa Celtica, in order to develop his unique sound. The band has been created as late-night festival party line up that can keep the crowds dancing into the small hours, featured this year with two headline festival slots to kick off the summer with these energising tunes!
